Richmond, Va. — CarMax, Inc., the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, has opened its very first store in Arkansas, located in Rogers. CarMax now has 255 stores across 42 states nationwide. The new Rogers location is 11,500 square feet and has the capacity to stock approximately 500 used vehicles of nearly every make and model. “The growth in the region is tremendous, and we’re excited to be a part of it,” says Bradley McMahon, location general manager at the Rogers CarMax. “When selecting a new location, CarMax looks for …
construction and design
Dallas — Wingstop has opened its 3,000th restaurant globally — a significant milestone as the brand accelerates toward its vision of becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand with more than 10,000 restaurants worldwide. Wingstop reached this milestone at a record pace, opening nearly 800 restaurants and expanding its global footprint by 50% in just 2 years. During this time, Wingstop entered six new markets: Australia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia and The Netherlands. Wingstop now operates in 47 U.S. states and 15 countries, and expects to soon open …
Malmö, Sweden — Two years and three months after the groundbreaking ceremony in Sylvia Park, Auckland, IKEA has officially opened its first store in New Zealand. New Zealand is the first new market for the largest IKEA retailer since 2021, when a store opened in Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia. “We’re thrilled to bring IKEA all the way to New Zealand, the country that’s geographically the furthest from our Swedish beginnings. That distance makes this opening special,” says Tolga Öncü, Ingka retail manager (COO), Ingka Group | IKEA. “Coming to New …
— By Katie Lee — Nearing 1,000 locations nationwide, Zaxbys is evolving from a regional Southern favorite to a national QSR staple. As it celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, Zaxbys® has ushered in a new era with a comprehensive refresh. This includes the introduction of its ‘Modern Farmhouse’ restaurant design, as well as an updated visual identity, branding and packaging. Together, these updates reflect a modernized, cohesive look and feel, signaling the next chapter in Zaxbys’ evolution while maintaining the bold flavors and Southern hospitality that guests love. And …
Charlotte, N.C. — This month, Belk is opening two new stores in Texas and Florida, debuting a new store concept for the 136-year-old retailer. Belk Market locations offer a carefully curated assortment of top national and private label brands in a smaller footprint. The new stores are located at The Grove at Wesley Chapel in Wesley Chapel, Fla., and The Centre at Preston Ridge in Frisco, Texas. “We know our customers come to us for the brands and products they trust, and we’re always looking for new ways to match …
Lausanne, Switzerland — KFC Europe is opening one of its most iconic European flagship stores, located at the heart of historical Rome near the renowned Trevi Fountain. This landmark launch is a testament to KFC’s continued growth throughout Europe. As one of the fastest growing retail brands in the world, KFC opens a new restaurant somewhere around the world once every 3.5 hours. The choice of Rome as the site for one of the first Western European flagship stores was a natural choice and reflects the brand’s rapid growth across …
— By Marc Mascarello — How hidden air diffusers are changing commercial interiors. Walk into a beautifully designed restaurant or retail space, and your eyes are drawn to the details — the layered lighting, the textures and materials, the sense of flow and spatial balance. But when HVAC components like air vents or grilles jump into view, they can interrupt that visual harmony in an instant. Mechanical systems are essential to occupant comfort, yet they’re often considered late in the design process or treated as background elements to work around. …
Gurugram, India — Moe’s Casa Mexicana™, the global evolution of the popular U.S. fast-casual chain Moe’s Southwest Grill®, is entering the Indian market with franchise partner Unify Foodworks. The brand’s international flagship restaurant will open on Dec. 6, 2025, at Elan Miracle with a second location set to open at Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj. “We are thrilled to bring Moe’s Casa Mexicana to New Delhi and make India our first international market,” says Steven Yang, senior vice president, APAC at GoTo Foods, parent company of Moe’s Casa Mexicana. “Unify Foodworks …
Dallas — Bonchon, a global leader in Korean Fried Chicken, is expanding to Puerto Rico. The company signed a 6-unit deal with a new franchise partner with the first restaurant slated to open in late 2026. “We’re thrilled to expand into a new market with strong demand for Korean cuisine and a trusted, experienced partner,” says Suzie Tsai, CEO, Bonchon. “As Korean food continues to gain global popularity, Puerto Rico presents an exciting opportunity for Bonchon to introduce our signature Korean Fried Chicken. Through our turnkey franchise program, we’re committed …
Irvine, Calif. — Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. is opening its 500th store this month. This milestone arrives alongside several new store openings across the nation — including stores in Killeen, Texas; East Peoria, Ill., Phoenix; Deptford, N.J.; Indio, Calif.; Chandler, Ariz. — and a meaningful return to Huntington Beach, Calif., where the very first Boot Barn store opened its doors in 1978. From that single storefront, Boot Barn has grown its nationwide presence to span 49 states. “Reaching our 500th store is a proud moment for all of us, from …